Build AI Infrastructure to Prepare Filipino Youth for Industry Shift

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming industries from banking to business services, and the Philippines' leading integrated telco PLDT Inc. (PLDT) is positioning universities and communities to participate in that shift by expanding the infrastructure and training needed to deploy the technology.

Speaking at a forum marking the 50th anniversary of the Mendiola Consortium at Centro Escolar University in Manila, Blums Pineda, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Business Group at PLDT and Smart, and PLDT Group AI Business Lead, said universities will play a central role in preparing the workforce for an economy increasingly shaped by machine-assisted decision-making.

“Artificial intelligence is not just another technology cycle,” Pineda said. “It’s a general-purpose technology like electricity or the internet—one that changes how entire industries operate and how professionals do their work.”

AI’s Impact on the Workforce

The shift carries particular weight for the Philippines, whose economy is closely tied to global services and knowledge-based work. Global research shows that roughly 25% to 35% of jobs may be exposed to AI at the level of individual tasks, while only 3% to 5% face a high risk of full displacement.

Instead, the more common outcome is job transformation. That is already visible in the Philippines’ IT-BPM industry, which employs nearly two million workers, where AI supports tasks such as summarizing interactions and retrieving information, allowing workers to focus on more complex and value-driven roles.

“What we’re seeing is not the disappearance of human roles,” Pineda said. “AI handles repetitive tasks, while people focus on decision-making, relationships, and solving more complex problems.”

Universities Under Pressure to Adapt

For universities, the implications go beyond adding new technology courses. Students graduating today will enter a workforce where machines can assist with writing software, analyzing markets, and supporting medical diagnoses.

“Every technological revolution eventually walks into a classroom,” Pineda said. “The difference with AI is that it didn’t politely wait for curriculum committees. It has already arrived.”

The shift is influencing how universities design courses, conduct research, and manage administrative operations, with AI increasingly supporting teaching and analytics. At the same time, institutions are navigating challenges around academic integrity, bias, and responsible AI.

In this space, PLDT Enterprise and ePLDT have also been working closely with universities to support early-stage adoption. One example is an ongoing engagement with De La Salle University (DLSU), where the team is exploring the ePLDT SwiftStart AI Program. Designed as an immersive introduction to generative AI, SwiftStart enables institutions to understand foundational concepts such as prompt engineering while experiencing practical applications using tools like Google Workspace with Gemini.

Building the Infrastructure Behind AI

For the PLDT Group, the critical enabler of AI adoption lies in infrastructure—particularly high-performance computing, connectivity, and secure data environments.

Through its corporate business arm, PLDT Enterprise and subsidiaries ePLDT and VITRO, Inc., which deliver integrated digital, connectivity, and ICT solutions to public and private institutions in the Philippines and abroad, the PLDT Group has been investing in hyperscale data centers capable of supporting AI workloads.

Among them is VITRO Sta. Rosa, the country’s first hyperscale data center designed for AI applications. The facility hosts Pilipinas AI, a sovereign AI solutions stack that allows organizations to run AI workloads while keeping data within Philippine borders.

“The invisible infrastructure behind AI—fiber networks, computing power, and data centers—will determine how quickly institutions can innovate,” Pineda said.

Expanding Access to AI

Beyond infrastructure, PLDT and Smart are expanding access to AI through initiatives such as AI-in-a-Box, which provides literacy training, connectivity, and practical tools for institutions. “Technology only transforms society when ordinary institutions can use it,” Pineda said.

Ultimately, preparing students for an AI-driven economy will require not only technical knowledge but also skills that machines cannot easily replicate, including critical thinking, ethical judgment, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

“The future of AI in education won’t be determined by how quickly we buy new tools,” Pineda said. “It will be determined by how carefully we build the systems behind them.”

The PLDT Group’s efforts support its commitment to inclusive innovation, quality education, and workforce development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

UNO Digital Bank Achieves Operating Break-Even in February 2026

Manila, Philippines - Ahead of the publication of its March 2026 balance sheet, UNO Digital Bank announces an achievement of a positive operating margin (before provisions) as of February 2026. This marks a key transition for the four-year-old bank from early-stage investment to a sustainable, growth-oriented operating model, underpinned by disciplined growth and strong execution.

Manish Bhai, President and CEO of UNO Digital Bank, remarks, “Achieving operating break-even at this stage is an important validation of our model. Our focus remains that of building a bank with strong fundamentals: that is, balancing growth with credit discipline and operational efficiency.”

Building a Resilient Digital Credit Platform

In four years, UNO has expanded formal credit access in the Philippines while maintaining strict portfolio quality and risk discipline. The bank's performance is driven by its rapid lending expansion. Total loan disbursements have reached ₱15 billion, with the bank on track to grow its active loan book to over ₱10 billion by the end of 2026.

To bridge the credit gap, UNO Digital Bank leverages a real-time underwriting engine that goes beyond traditional credit history. By analyzing modern data points, the bank can accurately assess creditworthiness for a broader range of Filipinos, providing formal credit to those often overlooked by traditional institutions.

The bank continues to strengthen its risk management capabilities, especially across fraud detection and with industry collaboration. By integrating real-time behavioral analytics with cross-industry data sharing, the bank is moving from reactive security to proactive prevention, ensuring a more resilient platform for digital credit.

“Our goal is, and has always been, to make banking simple and accessible,” Bhai adds. “We firmly believe customer value and operational discipline must go hand in hand.”

Prioritizing Security and Seamless Access

As it has from its inception, UNO Digital Bank remains dedicated to delivering a simple, secure, and accessible banking experience to all Filipinos. To further its mission of accessibility, UNO now offers free QR Ph transfers for all customers, eliminating friction for everyday digital payments.

Furthermore, as the Philippine banking industry moves toward phasing out SMS-based One-Time Passwords (OTPs), UNO Digital Bank is one of the few local institutions to combine top-tier security with zero-cost transactions.

"We recognized early on that OTPs were becoming a vulnerability," Bhai reiterates. "Since inception, our two-factor authentication (2FA) procedures have ensured our customers are protected by the highest security standards available today.”

“While we continue to support various industry integrations, our core app experience has been biometric-led from day one. This ensures our customers are protected by the most secure and seamless authentication standards available in the market today."

Looking Ahead

Kalidas Ghose, Chairman of UNO Digital Bank, states: “UNO Digital Bank is focused and on track to achieve full P&L breakeven within the current year, 2026. We are committed to scaling responsibly. Soon we will introduce new channels and products.”

Over the next six months, UNO Digital Bank will further enhance its digital experience, expand its credit offerings, and continue investing in distribution to reach a broader segment of the Filipino market.

Fuel Price Surge Sparks Urgent Push for Smarter Transport Alternatives in the Philippines

Rising oil prices are once again placing significant pressure on Filipino commuters, as fuel costs climb to record highs amid ongoing global supply disruptions. For many households that rely on daily commuting for work, school, and essential activities, transportation expenses are quickly becoming one of the largest monthly burdens. As transport groups continue to call for fare increases to cope with rising operating costs, the situation is prompting a broader national conversation about how Filipinos move—and how they might move differently in the future.

Public transportation operators, especially jeepney and bus drivers, are among the most affected by escalating fuel prices. Higher fuel costs reduce already-thin margins, making fare adjustments almost unavoidable. However, fare hikes also place additional strain on commuters already managing rising costs for food, housing, and utilities. This creates a difficult balancing act between maintaining viable transport services and protecting commuters from further financial pressure.

Amid these challenges, attention is increasingly turning toward alternative transportation solutions, particularly electric vehicles (EVs). Electric mobility has long been viewed as a promising option for reducing dependence on imported fuel and lowering long-term transportation costs. Yet new data from Agile Data Solutions Inc. reveals that while awareness of EVs among Filipinos is relatively high, actual adoption remains limited. This gap between awareness and readiness highlights several structural barriers that continue to slow the transition.

One major challenge is infrastructure. Limited charging stations across urban and provincial areas make EV ownership less practical for many consumers. Another factor is the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles compared to traditional fuel-powered alternatives, which discourages widespread adoption despite potential long-term savings. In addition, uncertainties about maintenance, resale value, and government incentives contribute to hesitation among potential buyers.

Still, the ongoing fuel price surge is reshaping perspectives. As transportation costs continue to rise, interest in sustainable mobility solutions is gradually increasing among both policymakers and commuters. Investments in charging infrastructure, stronger incentive programs, and expanded public awareness campaigns could help accelerate the transition toward cleaner transport options.

Ultimately, the current situation underscores the urgency of developing more resilient and cost-effective mobility systems. While electric vehicles are not yet a universal solution, they represent an important step toward reducing vulnerability to global fuel disruptions and building a more sustainable transportation future for the Philippines.

LG Electronics Strengthens Global OLED TV Leadership with 13 Years at the Top

For more than a decade, LG Electronics has remained a dominant force in the global OLED TV market, reinforcing its reputation as a pioneer in premium display innovation. Marking an impressive milestone, the company has now led the worldwide OLED TV segment for 13 consecutive years—an achievement that reflects both consistent technological advancement and strong consumer confidence in its products.

In 2025, LG captured 49.7% of the global OLED TV market, shipping approximately 3.22 million units out of the 6.47 million OLED TVs sold worldwide. This performance highlights the company’s sustained ability to maintain nearly half of the global market share in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving display industry. Such dominance underscores LG’s continued investment in OLED technology, which remains widely recognized for delivering superior picture quality, deeper contrast levels, and energy-efficient performance compared to traditional display panels.

Europe emerged as a particularly strong region for OLED adoption in 2025. For the first time, OLED TV shipments across the region surpassed 3 million units. LG led the European market with approximately 1.59 million units shipped, securing a 50.5% share. This milestone reflects growing consumer preference for premium viewing experiences as well as increasing awareness of OLED’s advantages in both home entertainment and smart living environments.

Beyond Europe, LG also maintained a commanding presence in North America and the Asia-Oceania region. The company recorded a 50.1% market share in North America, demonstrating stable demand among consumers seeking high-end display technologies. Meanwhile, LG achieved an even stronger position in Asia-Oceania, where it captured 62.3% of the OLED TV market. This regional leadership highlights the brand’s strong distribution networks and continued influence across both mature and emerging markets.

LG’s sustained leadership can be attributed to its long-term strategy of advancing OLED panel technology while expanding its product lineup across multiple screen sizes and premium categories. By combining innovation with consistent product reliability and global availability, the company has strengthened its position as the benchmark brand in the OLED TV segment.

As demand for premium home entertainment solutions continues to grow, LG’s performance in 2025 reinforces its role as a key driver of the OLED TV industry’s evolution worldwide.

Globe Network Preparedness Amid National Energy Emergency

In light of the recent declaration placing the country under a State of National Energy Emergency, Globe assures its customers that its services will continue without disruption and as close to normal as possible, with its business continuity plan (BCP) activated to ensure that its network remains stable and operational amid concerns over fuel supply and energy availability.

Under the BCP, the company will undergo the following initiatives:

1. Expanded work from home for all Globe employees except the critical workforce in network and IT operations, stores and other sales channels, customer service, and network security. Other energy-saving measures have also been introduced, including limits on travel policy, car pooling, and new incentives for EV use.

2. Prioritization of network fuel and energy needs to ensure that network services will continue to operate unimpeded. Globe is working closely with partners so that gensets across our cell sites will have ample fuel supply in case of commercial power interruptions. Battery runtime management is also in place to address scenarios where both grid power and generator support may be affected.

Globe is strengthening its energy management approach through energy efficiency measures and increased use of renewable energy to diversify its power sources. Currently, approximately 30 percent of Globe’s network runs on renewable energy. The company also continues to deploy energy-efficient technologies, including AI solutions that help optimize energy consumption across its sites.

Globe remains focused on maintaining reliable service while strengthening its operational resilience and energy strategy in response to the volatile geopolitical and energy conditions.